The Dimensions of Culture Program constitutes the core of the general education requirement at UCSD’s Thurgood Marshall College (TMC). UCSD’s undergraduate experience is defined by the residential college system; each “college” on campus administers students’ living and learning experience by offering an academic and social environment defined by a specific intellectual theme. TMC was born in 1970 from the demands of a coalition between the Black Student Council and the Mexican American Youth Association (BSC-MAYA) for a new third college on campus that “must radically depart from the usual role as the ideological backbone of the social system, and must instead subject every part of the system to ruthless criticism” (BSC-MAYA 1969, 1). These student activists initially demanded the college be named Lumumba Zapata College after Patrice Lumumba, anti-colonial leader and eventually first prime minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Emiliano Zapata, champion of agrarian rights and one of the leaders of the Mexican Revolution. The college was eventually named after Thurgood Marshall, the first Black U.S. Supreme Court Justice, and it adopted the motto of “scholar and citizen.” As the core college academic program, DOC strives to remain true to the college’s revolutionary roots of student activism while fulfilling its institutional mandate to ensure students meet the UC system requirement of demonstrating proficiency in academic writing.

For further reference:

• https://marshall.ucsd.edu/_files/about-us/edited-history-of-thurgood-marshall-college.pdf
• https://library.ucsd.edu/dc/object/bb2392060k/_1.pdf
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbzhmMDFcFQ
• Mariscal, Jorge. Brown-Eyed Children of the Sun: Lessons from the Chicano Movement, 1965-1975. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 2005.

Land Acknowledgement

The DOC community holds great respect for the land and the original people of this area. UCSD is built on the unceded territory of the Kumeyaay Nation. Today, the Kumeyaay people continue to maintain their political sovereignty and cultural traditions as vital members of the San Diego community. We are honored to share this space with them and thank them for their stewardship.

Impact of Course Content

The topics in DOC often produce a wide range of responses from students and instructors as we examine forms of oppressive harm. DOC's goal is to offer an intentional space where we can all engage in critical reflection to better ourselves as scholars and ethical human beings. We all retain the right to excuse ourselves from harmful discussions as needed. If course work becomes personally difficult, please communicate with your instructors. Together, we can make accommodations to ensure respectful and productive engagement.

Accessibility Statement

DOC is committed to making learning accessible for all students; all DOC instructors will make every effort possible to accommodate students in timely, confidential ways. Regardless of a student’s status with the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD), individuals with disabilities of any kind should communicate their needs to instructors by the end of Week 2 to make learning accommodations for the quarter. Students with disabilities registered with the OSD should confirm that their letters of accommodation have been received by their lecturer and TA within one week of issuance.

UC-AFT 1474 Union Statement

DOC proudly supports Unit-18 Lecturers and Unit-17 Librarians from across the UC system who are represented by UC-AFT 1474, a collective bargaining union. Unit-18 Lecturers are faculty who teach 30-40% of credit courses across the UC campuses, including many DOC courses. These 6,500+ faculty across the UC system have many of the same qualifications as their tenure-track counterparts but are not afforded all of the same benefits.

Want to learn more?

Website: https://ucaft.org/

Instagram: @uc_aft &  @ucaftucsd

Facebook: @ucaft & @ucaftucsd

Twitter: @ucaft & @ucaft_ucs 

UAW 2865 Union Statement

DOC proudly supports Academic Workers from across the UC system, many of whom are represented by UAW 2865, a collective bargaining union. The UC system could not function without the important labor of these workers, including the Teaching Assistants and Non-Student Tutors in the DOC program.

Want to learn more?

Website: https://uaw2865.org/

Instagram: @uaw2865 & @ucsd_unions_uaw

Facebook: @UAW Local 2865

Twitter: @uaw2865 & @UCSD_Unions_UAW